Ham Radio install in New Beetle

[skycop60]

Does anyone have a wiring diagram for 2007 new beetle that would help me use the wiring block under the dash for + and what a good solid ground would be for an under the seat install.

my email is lrahn@sbcglobal.net

[Duffy]

CQ this is N5AS, over. I would recommend that you connect only directly to the battery terminal with a fused cable. (Remember all the fuse/power blocks melting on top of the battery?) I installed an Icom IC-706 for a short time in my 03 NBC. Just ran the cable from the battery under the car into the trunk are where the radio was mounted. For the "screwdriver" antenna, I made an aluminum bracket and attached it to the rear tow hook. Mounted the control head with Velcro under the center dash area. Hope this helps a little.

[skycop60]

So, even though the battery cable for + runs to the fuse block under the dash, you would connect to the + batter post? And for ground what did you use?

KF5FJA 73's for the help.

[Duffy]

In my installation, the connections were direct to the battery's + and - terminals since I was going to the trunk. VW's wiring is marginal for the required currents for the car, therefore be sure you don't overload the wiring. If you just want a dual bander or the like, you can try a connection under the dash. Give it a try and see how it works out. For the ground, I just found the nearest ground point (brown wires) and used it. Seems like there is one near the terminal block on the dash frame. ?? Let me know how it works out.

[skycop60]

I'm going to do it this week. I'm using a single bander, for now. In the future I'm looking for a larger rig, preferably HF up to 2 meters. Then I'll hook it up direct. Thanks and I'll take pictures as I put it together. I'll post them when I'm done.

[skycop60]

Is the Black with yellow stripe a return to the battery? Or is it a ground to chassis? I hooked to the red heavy wire on the block and have voltage, but still looking for the "brown" wires near the terminal block.

[skycop60]

Can you be more specific about which brown ones. Or is the black with the yellow stripe a good ground?

[VW_Factor]

The wiring I found for much anything in the car, is barely good enough for what its meant to do.

For anything, I would just run your own wire, from battery, and make your own ground wire.

[skycop60]

Probably the only way I can get a good ground. thanks.

[Duffy]

When I did my under-dash lighting, I found a body/frame part forward and below the power distribution block. Found a hole and attached there. Most all grounds in the bug are brown. If you can be specific where you see the black/yellow wire, I will try to find it in my Bentley manual.

[skycop60]

It's now installed and working perfectly. Hooked up the power lines to the battery and pulled them through the firewall next to the cable that goes to the fuse block.

I'll post pictures this afternoon later. KF5FJA 73's for the help and I'll look for you on the air soon. We may need a NB section for Hams?

[Duffy]

You did it the safe way. Looking forward to the pictures.

[skycop60]

Here are the final pictures of the install. I'm enjoying the mobile radio more now that it's installed. Thanks for everyone's help.

[Duffy]

Nice installation. Where did you mount the radio and does your mount attach to the A/C vents?

[skycop60]

The radio sits on the floor under the front seat. with all the wiring hooked up it stays pretty still. I'm going to use velcro to hold it in place. Because it's under the seat, no one can see it. Makes it less likely to be stolen.

The Face is in a GPS bracket that fits on the vent louvers for the AC. Works great because of space and I can take it out when I leave the car at a store.

[skycop60]

Well it's been quite a while since I installed the radio and I can report that it's has worked beautifully. I moved the head unit to a velcro connection under the dash for easier access. I'll update the photos today. I also picked up a external speaker that fits in the tray under the dash.

Installation has survived without any loose wires and the radio has worked fine. Anyone interested in details, please feel free to contact me.

[BlueLghtning]

I'm interested in seeing what you ended up with?

I'm just getting in Ham radio and although I only have a VX-5R HT right now, I'm sure I'll be getting a full mobile rig soon. Also interested in more info on your antenna and how you mounted it.